A Legacy of Cinema, Glamour, and Cultural Influence

The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in Cannes, France, is a renowned and prestigious event in the film industry. Established in 1946, it was originally created as an alternative to the Venice Film Festival, which at the time was seen as being influenced by political agendas. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a popular culture event, drawing filmmakers, actors, critics, and film enthusiasts from across the globe.

This festival is a premier stage for fashion, where celebrities and industry insiders frequently make bold style statements on the red carpet. It’s a high-profile event where emerging trends are both showcased and sparked, making it a key moment in the global fashion conversation. The festival’s history is closely linked to the evolution of fashion and red carpet culture, with its early editions highlighting the style choices of attending stars. The festival has witnessed numerous fashion triumphs and controversies, as both celebrities and designers have left their mark. 

The 78th Cannes Film Festival has wrapped up, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable fashion moments that will define red carpet style for years to come. This year’s festival wasn’t just about cinematic excellence—it was a fashion battleground where creativity met new constraints, resulting in some of the most innovative and striking looks we’ve ever seen on the Croisette. 

Game-Changing Guidelines: The New Cannes Dress Code

Cannes 2025 introduced groundbreaking new guidelines that completely transformed red carpet fashion. Just hours before the festival began, organizers announced strict new rules that banned two major red carpet staples. The updated dress code has prohibited nudity and “naked dresses” throughout the entire festival, not just on the red carpet. According to the official guidelines, the goal isn’t to control fashion choices in general, but rather to prevent complete nudity on the red carpet, in compliance with the event’s standards and French law. Additionally, voluminous outfits, particularly those with large trains that disrupt the flow of guest traffic or make seating in the theater difficult, are not allowed anymore. The festival made it clear they weren’t playing around—guests who don’t comply could be denied entry altogether. 

The Best-Dressed of Cannes 2025 

Whether in spite of or inspired by the new restrictions, celebrities and their stylists still embraced the challenge, showcasing stunning fashion moments that demonstrated how creativity can flourish within limits. Let’s take a look into the best dressed of Cannes 2025-

• Alia Bhatt ~ Drop Dead Gorgeous

Vogue India reported that Alia Bhatt’s highly anticipated debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival lived up to the excitement. Alia Bhatt debuted on the red carpet with an ivory-nude mermaid gown by Schiaparelli. The off-the-shoulder bodycon dress featured floral detailing along the sides, adding a touch of elegance. She kept her jewelry minimal but her signature dewy makeup perfectly complemented the gown’s soft, understated tones. However, her history-making moment wearing Gucci’s first-ever bespoke lehenga at the closing ceremony. Her choice to honor her cultural roots while embracing contemporary luxury fashion made her a standout among the international elite, proving that authenticity and glamour are the perfect pairing. With each appearance, Alia proved her status as a global fashion icon, effortlessly blending Indian elegance with international couture.

• Dakota Johnson ~ A Cotton Candy Dream

The official Cannes website likened her to a 1960s Cher on the red carpet, noting her tiered fringed Gucci gown paired with long straight hair and heavy bangs.The actress, in Cannes to support her film titled “Splitsville”, was a cotton candy dream in this strapless Gucci gown with sequin embroidery and fringe. Johnson’s playful yet elegant approach perfectly embodied the festival’s new direction, proving that you don’t need skin-baring designs to make a statement. The movement and texture of the fringe created visual drama that was both sophisticated and whimsical. Her fearless approach to fashion, combined with her natural grace, made her one of the most photographed stars on the red carpet.

• Pedro Pascal ~ A Sleek but Classy Heartthrob

At Cannes 2025, the dashing Pedro Pascal turned heads in a stylish taupe ensemble, drawing praise and admiration from fans. Mahalia Chang, a style editor, expressed gratitude for Pedro Pascal’s presence, highlighting that his look proves sexiness can be found in simplicity. Without any sequins or flashy details, his Calvin Klein outfit—comprising black trousers and a muscle tee—effortlessly checks all the boxes. The Last of Us star completed his look with black trousers and studded dress shoes—but according to the internet, it was his biceps that truly stole the spotlight. Pedro Pascal continued his reign as one of Hollywood’s most charismatic style icons, bringing his signature blend of classic sophistication and modern edge to the festival’s most prestigious events.

• Elle Fanning ~ Chanel Perfection

Elle Fanning walked the red carpet at the closing ceremony wearing a custom Chanel gown with Cartier jewellery. Crafted from silk crepe and tulle, the dress was adorned with intricate braid embroidery, jeweled buttons, and finished with a black velvet belt at the waist. Fanning’s choice represented the epitome of French sophistication, perfectly suited for the festival’s closing ceremony. Fanning’s additional looks throughout the film festival were equally striking. According to Tom and Lorenzo, Elle Fanning wore two fabulous Valentino Couture gowns during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—one for the closing ceremony and another for the premiere of ‘The Mastermind.’ However, it was her custom nature of her Chanel piece that stood out as it demonstrated the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that makes Cannes fashion so special.

• Cate Blanchett ~ Understated Elegance

Cate Blanchett was elegant in a bespoke Louis Vuitton look. As always, Blanchett proved that true style transcends trends. Her bespoke Louis Vuitton ensemble showcased how luxury fashion can be both contemporary and timeless, setting a standard for refined red carpet dressing. Dressed in a custom black halter-neck gown by Louis Vuitton, Cate embraced the scarf trend with a refined twist—lace frilled detailing made from repurposed fabric. It’s the kind of thoughtful embellishment that turns a minimalist silhouette into something subtly commanding. Understated in concept, stunning in its realization. Cate Blanchett closed the festival with undeniable power and poise in her custom Louis Vuitton black halter-neck gown made from repurposed fabric. As both jury member and style icon, she embodied the perfect balance of sustainability and luxury, proving that conscious fashion choices can be equally stunning and impactful. 

The Dazzling Fashionistas at Cannes Film Festival 2025

As the curtains fell on the spectacular 78th Cannes Film Festival, one thing became crystal clear: despite the new dress code restrictions banning voluminous trains and revealing naked dresses, fashion innovation thrived on the Croisette. The festival’s most striking fashionistas proved that elegance and creativity know no bounds, delivering red carpet moments that will be remembered for years to come. Designers and stylists were forced to think creatively about how to make memorable fashion statements within the new parameters, leading to some truly innovative approaches to red carpet dressing. This proves that the festival’s fashion landscape became more about storytelling through clothing rather than simply revealing as much skin as possible.

Alia Bhatt, Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, Elle Fanning, and Cate Blanchett—these five fashion trailblazers didn’t merely wear clothes; they made statements. They told stories, broke boundaries, and set new standards for red carpet excellence. In a year where restrictions could have stifled creativity, they instead redefined what it means to be best dressed, proving that true style transcends rules and that the most striking fashionistas are those who dare to be authentically themselves. 

You and Life Magazine’s French Riviera Chronicles

You and Life Magazine emerged from Tapobrati Das Samaddar and acclaimed author Karan Puri’s shared passion for elevated storytelling. This joint venture between Wordloom Creative Ventures combines decades of media and luxury market expertise, delivering thoughtfully curated content that respects sophisticated readers’ intelligence while inspiring their aspirations through quality journalism. Their magazine bridges luxury, authenticity, and purposeful living. Their rigorous editorial standards elevate storytelling beyond conventional boundaries, believing authentic luxury encompasses transformative experiences and meaningful relationships for discerning readers. This magazine carefully handpicks each feature, interview, and recommendation to ensure they meet their exacting quality criteria.

We’re thrilled to confirm that Liza Varma attended this year’s Cannes Film Festival Fashion week on behalf of You and Life Magazine. She served as the publication’s official correspondent during the prestigious event. As a Grooming Partner and Show Director of Miss Aseatic, her decades of international expertise and legendary talent-spotting abilities have launched countless careers and turned aspirations into achievements through her discerning guidance. Beginning her modeling journey at 16 and continuing through motherhood, Liza brings authentic glamour industry insights from her extensive career spanning films and advertisements. Her dedicated mentorship has shaped beauty queens and celebrities including Miss World Manushi Chillar, Sushmita Sen, Esha Gupta, Shonali Nagrani, and Jacqueline Fernandez, establishing her as an industry powerhouse committed to creating your success story. 

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